I can tell you what NOT to get. I purchased an 'Aviator' bag from Timbuk2 for what I thought was a reasonable price. It had a robust warranty and Timbuk2 has a good reputation. I was completely fooled. It about disintegrated in a single use, it isn't acceptable as a carry on as they advertised it (too big) and when I called about the warranty they told me the damage wasn't covered because I checked the bag and it isn't designed to withstand that abuse. I told them that it wasn't permitted to be used as a carry-on so it was required to be checked. For a bag named 'Aviator' you'd think that it would be designed with that use in mind. They told me to pound pavement and quit bothering them. They won't get any more of my business and I'll make darned sure that no one else gets suckered either if I can help it.

Will you be walking in the bush with your luggage any distance ?
I like backpacks for carry on, but I like a waist strap and/or sternum strap for stability because narrow shoulders. Basically find something that has the capacity you need and is squishable to fit carry on restrictions. And pack SUUUPER light. Like "I've got a camera and a credit card".

For no wheels I have a Ebags motherload weekender that really is well thought out with many conveniences. I have "backpacked" it but I wouldn't want to go hiking long distance with it heavy, at least not without modifying the straps a bit.

For just two wheels I have a Timberland <somethingorother> (pretty sure it is Danvers River) that is standing up well. It has fairly big pair of wheeels which comes in handy on cobblestones and stairs.

For ebags it's best to sign up for their relentless emailing and wait for 30% off

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Love my Marmot long hauler duffle bags that can also be worn like a backpack. The small would work on KLM (20 x 11.5 x 12in). Might work on delta depending on how you pack it. My daughter borrowed my small one and was able to carry it as the personal item and also bought a wheelie for the overhead compartments. Fit under the seat easily.

They are fantastic, and they don't cost that much either. We also use lightweight packing cubes with them to be even more efficient. We did a 3.5 week trip through Turkey, Catalonia and southern France with them without any difficulty. Even the backpack straps are pretty nice, which is rare for this kind of carryon. Another nice thing is that since this is the convertible version (meaning it can expand to larger than carryon size if necessary, we can pile all the extra purchases, gifts etc into one of these and check it in for the flight home.

Oh yeah, one more thing relevant to Macresource forums...it has a nice laptop sleeve behind the backpack straps that doesn't really take up any space if you're not taking your laptop.

I totally agree with not wanting a wheeled carryon, since the wheels, frame and handle take up so much extra luggage space and add significant weight. In airports we usually just grab a smarte cart. In most out of the way places wheels are pretty useless on cobblestones and dirt roads. We do sometimes carry an ultra lightweight Samsonite luggage cart so my wife doesn't have to schlep a heavy backpack through long airport terminals. She just folds it and puts it in her "extra" bag.

"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan

Not sure if any of the sites mentioned that carry-on size standards for domestic flights and standards for international flights differ. So, make sure the numbers you listed are suitable for international travel. The last time I checked, carry-on bags for international travel are noticeably smaller. The airlines may also have different standards of their own for domestic and international.

I bought the Victorinox Lexicon 2.0 22" Expandable Carry-On Rolling Suitcase for the entire family. Durable and has an excellent warranty which I have tested. They are expensive but are available at deeply discounted prices a few times a year. [www.macys.com]

They also make backpack style bags which I used when I was younger. Much easier to get thru an airport quickly with one of these. [www.macys.com]

Quotedavester
We have these (eBags TLS weekender convertible): [www.ebags.com]

They are fantastic, and they don't cost that much either. We also use lightweight packing cubes with them to be even more efficient. We did a 3.5 week trip through Turkey, Catalonia and southern France with them without any difficulty. Even the backpack straps are pretty nice, which is rare for this kind of carryon. Another nice thing is that since this is the convertible version (meaning it can expand to larger than carryon size if necessary, we can pile all the extra purchases, gifts etc into one of these and check it in for the flight home.

Oh yeah, one more thing relevant to Macresource forums...it has a nice laptop sleeve behind the backpack straps that doesn't really take up any space if you're not taking your laptop.

I totally agree with not wanting a wheeled carryon, since the wheels, frame and handle take up so much extra luggage space and add significant weight. In airports we usually just grab a smarte cart. In most out of the way places wheels are pretty useless on cobblestones and dirt roads. We do sometimes carry an ultra lightweight Samsonite luggage cart so my wife doesn't have to schlep a heavy backpack through long airport terminals. She just folds it and puts it in her "extra" bag.

I second this!!! Bought one to carry on my ski boots to Telluride. Fantastic, lots of pockets etc and the fact it has backpack straps, in addition to a handle, is what sold me on it.

We bought 2 of these for $90 each on a Amazon daily sale in 2016: [www.amazon.com]

They are great and had the benefit of being able to put the small on on the big one to roll along. This last summer we decided to get a couple of backpacks to replace the smaller piece so we'd have multiple pockets. We bought a couple of odd colored ones from High Sierra on sale (really cheap because of the odd colors) that maxed out the under-seat size limits and that's the sweet spot for us. The big piece meets the size standard for overhead and the small one for under the seat. The wheels don't take up much interior room so we maximized the carrying size of the big ones. We lived out of them for 11 days in Europe this summer without a problem.

I just use REI Medium duffle bags for traveling. I traveled on Frontier with them last time and I was able to bring two of them in my carry on as they fit under the seat. Granted they weren't stuffed full and since they are duffle bags they compress and fit through the guides even though they wouldn't if the bag was full.

It was tighter on the way back as we had stopped and bought stuff at outlets, but I was still able to compress the bags and get them to slide through. YMMV as some airlines might complain or not give you a second change to make it fit, I just strategically wrapped the shuolder strap around to compress the clothing to make it fit.

Backpack. Can't beat them for portability and ease of packing. And since you're wearing or carrying them, they don't tend to walk off when you inevitably turn your back for a second. And keep in mind that on a safari, everything smells funny. Particularly the animals. You won't need copious clothing changes, but take an extra pair of shoes and socks in case water happens to find you. It's nice to have dry shoes back at camp, even if the rest of you is soaked.

Since all of my carry-on is valuable stuff, electronics, papers, and one change of clothes. It's important for me to keep it dry at all costs. I have the old style Northface Base Camp duffle that's waterproof. I think it's a PVC type material with a heavy duty bottom. Not a fan of the new redesigned Base Camp duffle, so i can't recommend that to you.

I have an Osprey backpack (Aura 50) for search and rescue and absolutely love it. For travel I was looking for a duffle configuration that could also be carried like a backpack. My reason, easier and better packing for travel. More clothing vs some clothing plus gear. Marmot features beat out Osprey in this category for me.

I have an Osprey backpack (Aura 50) for search and rescue and absolutely love it. For travel I was looking for a duffle configuration that could also be carried like a backpack. My reason, easier and better packing for travel. More clothing vs some clothing plus gear. Marmot features beat out Osprey in this category for me.

Don't forget to check the weight limits for carry-on bags. Each carrier has different limits. Not necessarily a factor when purchasing the bag but something to consider when packing the bag.

Personally, I like bags with two-wheels. I've traveled domestically and abroad with bags that had no wheels, backpacks, duffels, satchels, you name it. I'll use a backpack or a satchel as a personal bag but for a carry-on? Two wheels all the way. Although I travel light and tend not to check-in luggage, I still want to have to carry fewer items on my back and arms.

I have an Osprey backpack (Aura 50) for search and rescue and absolutely love it. For travel I was looking for a duffle configuration that could also be carried like a backpack. My reason, easier and better packing for travel. More clothing vs some clothing plus gear. Marmot features beat out Osprey in this category for me.

I have the Marmot long hauler in small and medium. The small was used by my daughter on a flight where it qualified as a personal item and fit under the seat. That let her also bring a wheelie for the overhead compartment.